Alberuni came to India with?
VerifiedAnswer: Mahmud Ghaznavi
Explanation:
Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, commonly known as Alberuni, was a brilliant Persian scholar who arrived in India during the early 11th century. He came to the Indian subcontinent as part of the military expeditions led by Mahmud of Ghazni, the famous Turkic ruler who conducted seventeen raids into India between 1000 and 1027 CE.
Alberuni was not just a passive traveler but served as a court scholar and chronicler in Mahmud's entourage. While Mahmud's primary motivation for invading India was to plunder its wealth and spread Islamic influence, Alberuni had entirely different interests. He was fascinated by Indian culture, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and religious practices.
During his stay in India, which lasted for about thirteen years, Alberuni immersed himself in studying Indian civilization. He learned Sanskrit, which was quite remarkable for a foreign scholar of that time. This linguistic skill allowed him to read original Indian texts on various subjects including mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and religion.
The most significant contribution of Alberuni's visit to India was his famous work "Kitab-ul-Hind" (The Book of India), written around 1030 CE. This comprehensive account provides valuable insights into medieval Indian society, customs, religious practices, scientific knowledge, and social structure. Unlike many other foreign accounts that were often biased or superficial, Alberuni's work stands out for its scholarly approach and relatively objective perspective.
Alberuni's association with Mahmud Ghaznavi was primarily professional rather than personal. While the ruler was focused on military conquests and acquiring wealth, Alberuni used this opportunity to conduct what can be considered one of the earliest systematic studies of Indian civilization by a foreign scholar. His work remains an invaluable historical source for understanding India during the 11th century and serves as a bridge between Islamic and Indian intellectual traditions.
